LOS ANGELES — Forest officials said they are still concerned after nearly 2,000 gallons of "asphalt binder" spilled in a California forest when a semitruck crashed on Highway 199.
Raoul Payette Jr., 58, was driving on the highway in Del Norte County, near the Oregon border, on Thursday with a damaged tire, the California Highway Patrol said. Payette's three-axle truck drifted and hit a power pole, knocking power lines onto the road. He continued driving for about one mile before the trailer detached, overturned and spilled "a significant amount" of hot asphalt binder around 10:40 a.m., near the Smith River National Recreation Area west of Gasquet and east of Middle Fork Gorge, CHP said.
A CHP officer pulled Payette over roughly 15 minutes later and arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence and misdemeanor hit and run. The freeway was closed for several hours.
